It's that time of year when fashion editor's harp on about the trends to watch come spring while we're still getting our heads around shorter days and chilly nights.

London Fashion Week has long been regarded as the poor sister to the other big three; New York, Milan & Paris, but this season there's a certain, let's say, frisson in the air.

Talk about a right old medley, there's Zandra Rhodes, the notorious pink haired one, presenting her first LFW show in 20 years. For those unafraid of colour she is also launching a cosmetics range in association with MAC who will be holding a cocktail party in her honour.

Biba is another name to jog those baby boomers memories; unfortunately it's Biba in name but not in spirit. Not that that's putting anybody off, the show, designed by Bella Freud, has received a record amount of press requests and with talk of Kate Moss et al attending it's bound to be a "don't you know who I am" special.

Talking of established names - Mr Giorgio Armani is in town to launch his Emporio Armani (Product) Red collection. Part of the Bono and Bobby Shriver global initiative in the fight against AIDS, Armani's 'For One Night Only' event will no doubt bring together fashion, music and slebs aplenty. And while we are not ones for name dropping at UJ, the guest list is looking mighty meaty. Not forgetting the rest of us - 'For One Night Only' will be televised by Channel 4 - so keep your eyes peeled.

On the up-and-coming front new boys Todd Lynn (formerly Roland Mouret's right-hand man) and Christopher Kane, (Donatella's favourite) are causing quite a stir. Fashion Fringe is back for a third installment where four shortlisted designers are poised to battle it out against the dramatic backdrop of City Hall. The prize: £100,000 investment that would see any new business well on its way.

Elsewhere, Julien Macdonald, a designer fond of the glitz, has uber stylist Rachel Zoe on his side. Zoe currently ranks as the celebrity stylist de jour, so to speak, with a client list that reads like an Oscar nomination roll-call. Flying over from LA she will be styling Macdonald's show which will be pulling out all the stops in the glamour stakes.